The Pied Wagtail. 



329 



means of a high, order ; but the voice, though low, is not 

 unmusical, and the votes are varied. In an aviary, when 

 mingled with the songs of other birds, it makes a pleasing 

 variety. The Pied Wagtail sings during ten months of the 

 year. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — A bird of this variety 

 is very rarely exhibited ; but should one be shown, the body 

 colour ought to be clear and bright, the feathers smooth 

 and firm, the tail and wings in good order, and the specimen 

 clean, and in good condition. 



General Eemarks. — The Pied Wagtail is best kept in an 

 aviary. A few stones should be piled up here and there, 

 or a rockery built for it to rest upon, and a small pool 

 formed in the centre of the exercise ground, to hold a 

 supply of water. This pool should be about 2in. deep, not 

 more, and 3ft. square ; it should be bricked out and cemented, 

 or lined with zinc, and have a waste water pipe aflSxed, 

 connected with a drain, and fitted with a movable plug, so 

 that the water can be let off, and a fresh supply given. 



Under favourable conditions, there is no reason why birds 

 of this species should not breed in confinement. A plentiful 

 supply of sand and gravel is an indispensable requisite, and, 

 if not provided, the birds will speedily fail in health. Pied 

 Wagtails do not thrive so well in cages as they do in an 

 aviary in the open air. If kept in cages, those of large 

 proportions should be chosen, as the birds are very apt to 

 get their tails and feet matted with dirt when kept in ordi- 

 nary sized ones. They may be preserved in good health and 

 condition for several years by careful attention and a frequent 

 change of diet. If reared by hand, they may be trained 

 to leave and return to the aviary, and will in time become 

 as tame and domesticated as house pigeons. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — Pied Wagtails are tolerably 

 healthy, but at the period of the moult are liable to attacks 

 of diarrhoea. At this time, too, they not infrequently become 

 very particular about their food ; ants' eggs, mealworms, and 

 flies, will generally restore them to health. If neglected, 

 they will refuse their food altogether, pine away, and die of 

 atrophy. 



